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On Jan. 2, 2021, Anna Victoria Matthei passed away peacefully at the age of 92 after a long fight with Alzheimer’s. She was the beloved wife of Richard Fred Matthei, who preceded her in death in 1984.

The youngest of seven children, Anna was born in Pennsylvania to Polish immigrant Stanley and Catherine (Novobilski) Anna Victoria Gorel. After the Matthei death of her mother when Anna was six days old, Stanley married the late Catherine McCabe, and Anna eventually gained five younger half-siblings.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by siblings John Gorel, Stanley “Stash” Gorel Jr, Frank Gorel, Catherine Yusko, Mary Connor, and Millie Griffin. She is survived by siblings Sophie Homa of Connecticut, and Florence Bishop, Loretta Barrese, Joseph Gorel, and Andrew Gorel, all of Pennsylvania.

Anna personified resilience, perseverance, and courage. She overcame challenges with substantial hearing loss from illnesses at an early age and taught herself how to lip read. A creative problem-solver, Anna’s indomitable spirit kept her moving forward.

At 23, Anna moved to Chicago with virtually nothing to take a job in a lamp factory. She then met Richard on a blind date, and they married in May 1952. In June 1953, she gave birth to her only child, daughter Ann Marie.

Anna lived a full life as a devoted mother and grandmother who loved to cook, crochet, and garden. She also enjoyed watching old Western movies and loudly cheering (or booing) the Chicago Cubs.

After her initial Alzheimer’s diagnosis eight years ago, Ann Marie became her primary caregiver, with support from husband, Robert, longtime family doctor Dr. Kim Albright, and JourneyCare.

Anna’s heart gleamed with love for God, her family, and animals. Her strong will and sense of humor lives on through Ann Marie and Robert Davis, as well as grandchildren Andriana Davis and Aaron Davis.

Anna will be remembered for her fierce strength and love for her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Her family is comforted that Anna knows who she is again and is finally reunited with Richard in heaven. Services and interment will be held privately with immediate family.

“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” - 2 Corinthians 5.8

For more information, contact the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338 -1710 or visit slmcfh.com.

Paul Thomas Wilson Jr., 88, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, at his home in Woodstock, Ill., of natural causes. He was surrounded by family and friends in his last days and weeks and was able to express his love for them and their love for him.

He leaves his wife of 70 years, Laila (Hansen) Wilson; his sons, Paul Wilson III, Tim Wilson, Todd Wilson; his daughters, Linda Hansen, Greta Engholm; 17

IN BRIEF Underwood moves local office to Crystal Lake

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood has closed her office in Woodstock and opened an office for McHenry County in Crystal Lake.

The address of the new office is 333 Commerce Drive, Suite 700, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. The phone number to call for her district offices in Crystal Lake and West Chicago is 630-549-2190.

Underwood opened her second district office in Woodstock in July 2019.

According to a news release, the congresswoman and staff are taking virtual, phone, and, as needed, in-person appointments. grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; and many close friends.

Born in Chicago, the son of Paul Sr. and Ruth (Leidholm) Wilson, he was a lifelong resident of the greater Chicagoland area. Most recently, and for the past 52 years, Paul lived in Woodstock.

Paul met his wife, Laila Hansen, at South Park Church Paul Thomas in 1949, and they Wilson were married Nov. 10, 1950. in Park Ridge, Ill. Companions for life, their fortune is their children, their hope is in Jesus Christ. They loved each other well.

Mr. Wilson was an entrepreneur. He took over the family business, Wilson & Co., a carpet cleaning and needlepoint rug business in Chicago, in the early ’60s. It was started by his grandfather, John Forrester Wilson, in 1885. In 1969 he moved his family from Barrington Hills, Ill., to a 150acre farm in Woodstock. A novice at farming, he raised beef cattle, pigs, sheep, and grew crops. He loved a challenge. Paul

Underwood also has a new office in Washington, D.C.: 1130 Longworth House Office Building.

The 14th District Democrat from Naperville was elected to a second term in November and was sworn in Jan. 3.

County extends deadline for business relief grant

Small businesses suffering financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic have additional time to apply for the Immediate Business Relief Grant program offered by McHenry County.

Eligible businesses that serve the food service, accommodation, arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors now have until 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, to apply for a $15,000 grant, which can be was capable of many things but would seek knowledge from books as well as people if he were unsure of a task. He was a constant learner.

Paul also built custom homes throughout his career. His most unique build was a chalet on Mount Princeton for a Young Life camp called Frontier Ranch. In 1960, Paul took his young family on a year’s sabbatical to Buena Vista, Colo. He was a builder for the camp where the family lived in a log cabin at the foot of the mountains.

Of all the things Mr. Wilson successfully accomplished in his life on earth, his most life changing decision was placing his faith and trust in Jesus Christ as his savior. Paul is now in his heavenly home made especially for him and will spend eternity in the presence of God. His desire would be for all to also place their faith and trust in Jesus’ work on the cross for the redemption of their sins and not in anything else. His redeemer is faithful and true.

A funeral service will be held Jan. 16 at the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and a service following at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Samaritans Purse or the Evangelical Free Church of

Crystal Lake.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

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used to reimburse expenses incurred by the business from March 1 to Dec. 30, 2020. Many grants are still available on a first-come, first-served basis until the extended deadline expires.

Applicants must be located within McHenry County and have been in business for at least two years as of Sept. 1, 2020. They must employ between two and 25 employees, and be able to demonstrate at least $25,000 in lost revenue for any six-month period between March and October.

A complete list of eligibility requirements and restrictions can be found at bit.ly/38nBEuE. Eligible businesses must apply through an application portal called “Neighborly,” and must first complete an applicant profile by visiting portal.neighborlysoftware.com/mchenrycountyil/ participant.